Cycle 8, In it to win it

Day 6: She is hanging tough. Really tough, in fact she is looking great and definitely feeling her oats. The chemo is just now starting to kick in, but she seems to be holding her own. We have clinic on Tuesday; that will be the actual, penultimate chemo treatment and also when we will be able to determine when (not so much if) she will need her RBCs and/or platelet transfusion.

Monday (day 1) was the LP (Uhggg - we had a few bumps there). She is so smart, and at the point where nothing can distract her from the "routine". No amount of bubbles, flashlights, movies, or promises of the toy store is going to take her mind off the fact that she's about to have an unpleasant experience. Bummer - and we are so close to the end (of this part). We were unable to access her port at the PACU (after multiple tries) so they ended up just gassing her in the procedure room and accessing her after she was asleep. They tried all kinds of ways to get her to "smell" the anesthesia and go under nicely - creative stories and at least 31 flavors of "gas". We (Tony & I) settled on strawberry - ultimately no avail. It ended up being just me 'hugging' her real tight while they held the mask to her [our] face. Of the four nurses in the procedure room - two of them left with me to make sure I wasn't "under". No fun, but we are bolstered by being near the end. She came out of anesthesia pretty well and we got home in time to celebrate Mr. B's 5th Birthday.

Monday morning - Bruno turns 5! Breakfast of CHAMPIONS
(yes that is whipped cream AND sprinkles!)

July 21, 2003: That's the day we first met our Bruno. He is growing so big, strong, gentle, and fast! He is kind and thoughtful, curious, and generous. He is a good boy. He starts kindergarten in August - I almost can not believe it. I'm certain that this past year has had it's toll on him - we've been pretty wrapped up in Gianni, our own shock, grief, struggles - he just keeps on keeping on. He always has a smile and a brotherly pat of encouragement for Gian, and has been a good friend and companion to her through this ... journey.

The party was fun - I even found time to hang streamers and buy balloons (an 'official' party per Gianni). Auntie Jen and Jessica came over for Blueberry Pie (it is what he asked for - although not such the big hit) and presents.

Balloons AND streamers... its a REAL party now

SURPRISE!

Blueberry Birthday Pie

Tuesday morning Tony and Gianni went to PEC for the 3-day admit. He again got to spend the lion's share of time with her (all day Tues - Wed night, and all day Thur). I was able to visit in the mornings and early evenings and spend Wednesday night with her.

Wednesday night - shenanigans...

Since Thursday was the last in-patient chemo treatment the nurses and staff at PEC had a mini 'graduation' for her. She got a nice certificate with hand written farewell's from her nurses, a big goodie bad of "littlest pets", and a beautiful SpongeBob SquarePants ice cream cake. Tony brought champagne and just after the last push (Etoposide) he let Gianni cut off the 'good luck' arm bands he has worn since she was first diagnosed - last November (peyou!).

After living day to day - this milestone kind of creeped up on us. And it feels great!


We ran out of PEC as soon as the de-access and sub-Q procedures were done and ran straight to Auntie Jen's to celebrate and share SpongeBob.

Now we just wait - we are doing our best to keep her healthy and out of the hospital... from our cycle 6 to cycle 7 break we know that once she's past the nadir hump she will bounce back quickly. I am sure that we have more long hauls in our future but for now .... it's looking so bright I gotta wear shades!